Red Bull extends Sergio Perez's F1 contract to 2022
Sergio Perez will stay with the Red Bull Formula 1 team in 2022, after a contract extension was agreed ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Mexican joined the outfit on a one-year deal at the start of this season, as Red Bull elected to look outside of its young driver programme for the first time in years.
Although Perez has had some difficulties adapting to the unique characteristics of Red Bull’s F1 car concept, he has scored well and secured a victory for the team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Speaking about his deal, which will see him race alongside Max Verstappen again, Perez said: “I’m really happy to be continuing with a great team like Red Bull into the new era of Formula 1 and it’s a great opportunity for me. Everyone starts from zero next year with the new regulations, so my only goal is to go all the way to the top with Red Bull.”
Perez told Autosport earlier this month that the tricky nature of the RB16B car had left him feeling that he was racing in an all-new category this season.
But despite still finding his way in getting the most out of the car, both driver and team think the foundations are there to improve more in the future.
Perez added: “It always takes time to get on top of everything when you join a new team but things have worked well this season and I really enjoy being a part of the Red Bull family. We’ve been working hard to deliver results so it’s great to see the team have faith in me for the future.
“We have so much more to achieve together and we still have a great challenge on our hands this season so I really hope we can finish the year on a high and carry that momentum into 2022.”
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said that Perez’s experience was viewed as a key asset for the outfit ahead of the all-new rules coming in to play for 2022.
“Checo is a highly respected team member and his experience and race-craft are invaluable as we fight for the constructors’ championship,” explained Horner.
“His integration into the wider team has been seamless and we have been impressed by his performances during the first half of the season which demonstrate what he’s capable of in our car.
“Next year we move into a new era of F1 with completely revised regulations and cars, and with over 200 races and a decade of experience under his belt, Checo will play an integral role in helping the team navigate this transition and maximise the RB18.”
Perez’s confirmation at Red Bull means that sister team Red Bull will almost certainly keep an unchanged line-up of Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda for 2022.
Team principal Franz Tost said in Belgium that an announcement about its driver plans would be made next month.
“I think it will be decided in September, and we will announce it then,” he said.
Related video
Previous article
Mugello in frame to replace Turkey after UK red zone decision
Next article
Driving the F1 icon that launched Schumacher's career
Why McLaren's expanding agenda will benefit its F1 resurgence
In the 1960s and 1970s, McLaren juggled works entries in F1, sportscars and the Indy 500 while building cars for F3 and F2. Now it’s returning to its roots, expanding into IndyCars and Extreme E while continuing its F1 renaissance. There’s talk of Formula E and WEC entries too. But is this all too much, too soon? STUART CODLING talks to the man in charge
How Tsunoda plans to achieve his F1 potential
Yuki Tsunoda arrived in grand prix racing amid a whirlwind of hype, which only increased after his first race impressed the biggest wigs in Formula 1. His road since has been rocky and crash-filled, and OLEG KARPOV asks why Red Bull maintains faith in a driver who admits he isn’t really that big a fan of F1?
The danger of reading too much into F1's clickbait radio messages
OPINION: After Lewis Hamilton responded to reports labelling him 'furious' with Mercedes following his heated exchanges over team radio during the Russian Grand Prix, it provided a snapshot on how Formula 1 broadcasting radio snippets can both illuminate and misrepresent the true situation
Why F1’s approach to pole winners with grid penalties undermines drivers
OPINION: Valtteri Bottas is credited with pole position for the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, despite being beaten in qualifying. This is another example of Formula 1 and the FIA scoring an own goal by forgetting what makes motorsport magic, with the Istanbul race winner also a victim of this in the championship’s recent history
Turkish Grand Prix Driver Ratings
On a day that the number two Mercedes enjoyed a rare day in the sun, the Turkish Grand Prix produced several standout drives - not least from a driver who has hit a purple patch of late
The hidden factors that thwarted Hamilton's bid for shock Turkish GP glory
Starting 11th after his engine change grid penalty, Lewis Hamilton faced a tough task to repeat his Turkish Grand Prix heroics of 2020 - despite making strong early progress in the wet. Instead, his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas broke through for a first win of the year to mitigate Max Verstappen re-taking the points lead
How pitstops evolved into an F1 art form
A Formula 1 pitstop is a rapid-fire blend of high technology and human performance. PAT SYMONDS describes how the science of margin gains makes stops so quick
Why Mercedes' Istanbul edge is both stronger and weaker than it seems
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton dominated the opening day of action for the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, on the Istanbul circuit’s much improved track surface. But the Black Arrows squad’s position isn’t quite what it seems. Here’s why
